Synopsis
The Silkworm is the second novel in the Cormoran Strike series, written by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. The story follows private investigator Cormoran Strike as he takes on the case of missing novelist Owen Quine. Quine’s wife, Leonora, believes her husband has gone into hiding for a few days, as he often does, but this time feels different. She hires Strike to find him and bring him home.
As Strike and his assistant, Robin Ellacott, delve into the literary world, they discover that Quine had just completed a manuscript featuring thinly veiled characters that depict real people from the publishing industry in a highly unflattering light. When Quine is found brutally murdered in a grotesque manner that mirrors a scene from his own manuscript, Strike realizes that many people might have wanted him dead.
The investigation takes Strike and Robin through a labyrinth of suspects, motives, and hidden truths, unraveling the dark and twisted relationships within the literary world. As they get closer to the truth, they find themselves in increasing danger.
Characters
- Cormoran Strike: The determined and skilled private investigator with a military background.
- Robin Ellacott: Strike’s capable and intuitive assistant, who plays a crucial role in solving the case.
- Owen Quine: The controversial and flamboyant novelist whose murder is at the center of the story.
- Leonora Quine: Owen’s wife, who hires Strike to find her missing husband.
- Michael Fancourt: A successful and influential author who has a complicated history with Quine.
- Elizabeth Tassel: Quine’s literary agent, who has her own secrets and motivations.
- Kathryn Kent: Quine’s lover, an author whose career has not met her aspirations.
Themes
The Silkworm explores several key themes:
- The Dark Side of the Literary World: The novel delves into the competitive and often ruthless nature of the publishing industry.
- Truth and Deception: As Strike and Robin investigate, they uncover layers of lies and hidden motives.
- Ambition and Jealousy: The characters’ ambitions and jealousies drive much of the conflict and intrigue.
- Identity and Perception: The story examines how individuals perceive themselves and are perceived by others, particularly through the lens of Quine’s controversial manuscript.
Publication History
The Silkworm was published on June 19, 2014. The novel was released by Sphere Books in the United Kingdom and by Mulholland Books in the United States. Following the success of the first Cormoran Strike novel, The Silkworm was highly anticipated and received praise for its intricate plotting and character development.